Welcome to all the new members who have joined the Group. Since April the mood among some RA members has changed from one of complacency about the activities of the RA to one of growing concern. You will not find details of these concerns in the RA’s magazines but calls for an extraordinary general council and the arrangement of an unofficial meeting in Leeds have all come about because of the deteriorating financial situation of our organisation only recently revealed and causing redundancies and cut-backs at many levels. In my opinion our magazine is too ‘comfortable’ and rarely seems to address the real reasons we support the ramblers – maybe it is all hidden among the adverts and lovely pictures. What’s your view? Almost all our walks over the years have started from train stations but now a member has offered to lead a few walks from car parks. We have done something similar in the past. A long time ago when the committee was young – lost in the mists of time – we used to do surveys in deepest Bucks. The details appeared on the programme and members could either make there own way to the start or get a lift from West Ruislip Station. Recently, I did a lovely walk on Dunstable Downs – not easy for a short walk. Got a bit wet but saw a giant panda and squid flying high in the sky and a village full of scarecrows – not often you see such things on one of our walks! What’s your view? Our AGM is on again at St Andrews Church Centre on Thursday, December 17th at 7.45pm. Please try and come. I do not intend to put myself forward for the post of secretary. I have done over 8 years and feel someone else should have a go. If I can do it anyone can! You have just to attend 3 meetings a year, write some notes, copy them to the committee, book some meetings, take a few phone calls. Really, that is all you have to do and you get all the support you need from the rest of the committee! The AGM is a meeting with a difference – lively discussion with light refreshments. Of course, it will only be lively if you all come along! Tell me you will be there! Part of the AGM is to form a new committee. Most years there is no real election as the same ‘old’ faces stand again. Let’s make it a real election this year! See the back of the front of your programme for a nomination form. Who would you like to see running the group? You must have some thoughts on this? When you go out on walks you must talk about walking and what would be good to do and why does the group not do shorter walks, more social events, night walks, coach outings, barbecues, interest visits, pub crawls, children’s events, quiz nights, etc, etc. Well, now’s your chance – just ask the person you think would be good if they would be happy to have a go! All the posts are open at the AGM. If more than one nomination for a post is received then a secret ballot will take place. Get going – join the committee! Muriel has offered to encourage members to lead shorter walks. The Independent Rambling Club and some other RA groups have short walks. For members with a Freedom Pass regular short walks within the zones would offer a reasonable day out and there are some lovely and interesting walks to be had in London. So watch out for these in next years programme. Got an idea for a walk? Want to lead? Let me know! All the very best for Christmas and the New Year – Tom Berry.
A short walk - 4miles - I enjoyed recently involved taking the train to Chessington South. Turn left out of the station,after 200yards cross and go up a path soon with views across a golf course. Down steps to road turn left along road but just before bend go right down fenced path.Continue over bridge and alongside edge of two fields to go through hedge and onto track - you are now in Horton Country Park. Turn right along track and follow fence as it goes left. At T junction go right soon passing farm buildings on your left. At T junction turn left to reach toilets,car park and country park information centre - a short diversion here takes you to the childrens farm and cafe.From toilets follow rough track to right through car park and past enclosed picnic/barbecue area. Just before road go right throughgate/gap and follow wide track left then right but only for a short way! Look for a gap in the left hand fence. Go through and follow narrow path through trees soon crossing a tarmac path and across a rough grass/scrub area with trees to reach a high fence. Here trun right and follow fenced path to a stile. Cross and go straight across field to another stile. Cross, over field, over stile, track,stile, bear right in small field to go over 5th stile and on to farm lane. Turn left for a few hundred yards. At bend go right along green lane. At end continue on road soon uphill with views of golf course. Look for steps on left. You are now back on the first path you were on. Go up steps and back to Chessington South. This walk is from 'Travelcard Walks in West London' by Margaret Sharp. For more information and an alternative circular walk go on the internet and put in Horton Country Park. The internet is a wonderful source of written-up walks. You only have to put in the search box something like 'Crystal Palace walk' and you will get information on Crystal Palace and one of the entries is a circular walk. Try it for an area you are interested in! Be warned you still need to check the walk if you are going to lead a walk. I recently spent an enjoyable two hours exploring Crystal Palace park - dinosaurs and all! Tom Berry. Secretary, West London Group